Collapse of the world's oldest travel agency

(Patria) – British travel agency Thomas Cook closed its doors forever on Monday, leaving 600,000 clients currently traveling on their package tours in various parts of the world to their fate.

The company was forced to declare bankruptcy after its last attempt to secure credit funds failed, world media report.

CEO Peter Fankhauser offered a public apology to 'millions of customers, thousands of employees, suppliers, and partners who have supported us over the years'.

The British Civil Aviation Authority announced that the government will begin bringing home more than 150,000 British passengers currently in various parts of the world using its own aircraft.

Thomas Cook is the oldest agency of its kind in the world. It started operating in 1841 and managed hotels, airlines, and package tours in more than 16 countries, with a clientele of about 19 million people, writes the Euronews portal.